A weekly newspaper has looked forward to the year 2193 after celebrating its first 170 years in business.

The Warrington Guardian marked the milestone with a special supplement looking back on its history.

The anniversary comes after the paper won Supplement of the Year at the Regional Press Awards last month for its retrospective on the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Guardian was launched by its first editor Alexander Mackie in 1853.

Richard Duggan, the current holder of the title, told HTFP: “One hundred and seventy years after the first edition went to print, the Warrington Guardian continues to be at the heart of the town.

“While the day-to-day operation and design of the paper have changed significantly since 1853, our mission remains the same; to be the voice and champion of the people of Warrington.

“Our audience is higher now than it has ever been as more people come to us as their first port of call for the latest breaking news and biggest stories from across the area – it goes without saying a key difference for our 21st-century audience is they can choose between a print or online version of the paper!

“Although the Warrington Guardian has reached this incredible milestone, many other local newspapers have sadly closed their doors.

“An anniversary like this should be celebrated – and that’s precisely what we’ve done in terms of a special supplement which celebrates the biggest stories we’ve covered.

“We’ve also produced some excellent online pieces as part of our celebratory coverage – and we’ve got a few more in the pipeline that we’ll be publishing in the coming weeks and months.”

Richard also said in an editorial: “Our mission remains the same as it was in 1853. To tell the story of our town every day in the most interesting, accurate and up-to-date way.

“Here’s to the next 170 years.”